Duke Health providers are part of Duke’s physician network, which comprises doctors and providers at primary and specialty clinics throughout North Carolina and Virginia. Independent providers provide medical care at Duke facilities but are not employed by Duke.

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks. Please call your insurance company to confirm your access to health care services at Duke Health locations and what (if any) co-payments, co-insurances and deductibles will be your responsibility. Below are the plans currently accepted in 2016. There are many changes to the plans accepted beginning January 1, 2017. For a complete list of plans accepted in 2017 and to verify that your health plan includes Duke Health, please visit PlanForDuke.com.

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks. Please call your insurance company to confirm your access to health care services at Duke Health locations and what (if any) co-payments, co-insurances and deductibles will be your responsibility. Below are the plans currently accepted in 2016. There are many changes to the plans accepted beginning January 1, 2017. For a complete list of plans accepted in 2017 and to verify that your health plan includes Duke Health, please visit PlanForDuke.com.

I primarily see patients who have a variety of rare bleeding and clotting disorders. I see both older and younger patients and also provide help when patients need to transition to and away from blood thinners. Doctors usually refer patients to me. I try to work with each patient so they understand why they are seeing me and what is going on with their body. I enjoy when a patient can leave my office with a complete understanding of what is going on and what they need to do to get better. As a young child, I had bad allergies and spent much time in the doctor’s office. As a frequent patient, I enjoyed spending time around medicine. As I entered college, I found that I enjoyed chemistry and that hematology allowed me to combine lab work with patient care.

LANGUAGES I SPEAK

English

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME

Training

EDUCATION

MD, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1985, 1983

RESIDENCY

Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 1985-1988

FELLOWSHIP

Hematology-Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, 1988-1991

BOARD CERTIFICATION

American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology

American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Clinical focus and research

MY RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests focus on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bleeding and clotting disorders. I am particularly interested in the immune-mediated clotting disorders, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). I have participated in multiple studies investigating new anticoagulants (blood thinners) and the use of these therapies in high-risk clinical situations (for example, in the perioperative state and in patients with cancer). My laboratory investigates the mechanisms of clotting and evaluating new anticoagulants.

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

OVERALL PROVIDER RATING

4.7 out of 5(38 ratings, 14 reviews)

PATIENT REVIEWS

Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Duke Health Patient - April 2016

Physician was fantastic. Wait time was very long. Enjoyed CMA and Phlebotomist.

Duke Health Patient - November 2015

Dr. Ortel was a thorough, thoughtful and kind doctor. He had excellent bedside manner and was very knowledgeable. I felt well cared for and did not feel hurried. It is rare to find a doctor like Dr. Ortel in today's world of medicine...imho.

Duke Health Patient - November 2015

The staff and care provider were good. The facility and exam rooms were very dirty; the worst that I have ever experienced.

Duke Health Patient - November 2015

Dr Ortel took adequate time to explain my condition to me and was patient with my questions, which I appreciated very much.

Duke Health Patient - August 2015

Dr. Ortel is one of the BEST doctors - I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND him to anyone. The BEST DOCTOR I've ever had. - Will take his time to LISTEN & EXPLAIN my problems. I really respect him & would NEVER want to lose him as my doctor.

Duke Health Patient - May 2015

Dr Ortel takes very good care of me.

Duke Health Patient - February 2015

Will be referred to a liver specialist once labs results are in. Dr Ortel is really great at his field of expertise.

Duke Health Patient - February 2015

Dr. Ortel is simply a great person to share a chat about my health with. He genuinely cares about making me fully informed and satisfied with his course of action. A fantastic person that I will miss having regular visits with.

Duke Health Patient - January 2015

I really enjoyed the teaching aspect of my visit with Dr Ortell. I learned a lot and I felt very comfortable charting a course for my medical condition and had complete trust. Very impressed with him calling me the next day with test results too.

Duke Health Patient - November 2014

the doctor gave us l00 percent we were very humbled at the amount of time and care we were given

Duke Health Patient - October 2014

Dr. Ortel is a hematology specialist. I was referred to him because of my concerns about prolonged Coumadin usage. He was very helpful, and took the time to explain my choices.

Duke Health Patient - August 2014

HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

Duke Health Patient - August 2014

Overall my appointment was great!! Love Duke!!

Duke Health Patient - August 2014

Provider especially good to answer ALL of my questions. He was in no hurry and really took his time with me. Great!!!

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.